UTMC CEO resigns

Dave Morlock, UTMC CEO hat resigned effective June 1

The University of Toledo Medical Center needs a new CEO.

Executive VP and UTMC CEO, Dave Morlock, announced his resignation on April 5 from his position after holding the job since fall 2013. Morlock’s resignation is effective as of June 1.

“Dave has helped make sure that our hospital is not losing money, has increased patient satisfaction, as well as patient numbers,” said UT President Sharon Gaber. “He also helped negotiate the academic affiliation with ProMedica.”

The affiliation with ProMedica will transition medical students from completing residency at UTMC to instead completing residency at the ProMedica Toledo Hospital and the Toledo’s Children Hospital. Gaber said this affiliation will give students greater opportunities to be in more complex situations since those hospitals are much larger than UTMC.

“Dave Morlock set the hospital up for a bright future,” said Alex Wilhelm, a fourth-year nursing student. “I believe developing a relationship with a large health care system such as ProMedica can only benefit UTMC.”

Dan Barbee, who currently serves as the VP for clinical services, will be serving as interim CEO while UT searches nationally to find a permanent person for the position. Barbee will report to Christopher Cooper, executive vice president of clinical affairs and dean of the College of Medicine, while serving as interim.

“Dan has been with the hospital a long period of time and has sort of risen through the ranks,” Gaber said. “My understanding is he has been almost the Chief Operating Officer, the COO. There is a good level of respect for his work.”

Gaber also said that it is important to remain community focused during the transition with ProMedica, and that Barbee focuses on the community.

“I have seen Barbee around the hospital and he seems to take his job seriously,” Wilhelm said. “I think he has the best interest of the employees in mind and expects them to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities.”

Gaber knew of Morlock’s choice to step down 90 days in advance of June 1.

After Barbee spends some time as interim CEO, Gaber said UT will begin to conduct their search.

“When looking for a new CEO, I can only hope that UTMC looks for someone who can continue to put priority on fiscal responsibility, but also maintain a patient-first attitude,” Wilhelm said.

Although there will be a national search, Barbee could potentially become the next CEO.

“We will do a national search for the CEO and I would assume that Dan is within that mix if he is good at it, and he likes it, and he wants to be considered for it. I want to give him an opportunity to get his arms wrapped around it and see how things are going,” Gaber said.

Unlike Morlock’s business background, Barbee’s background is in nursing.

“I kind of like that,” Gaber said. “Dan has been in the trenches, so it’s a different perspective.”

Morlock will be starting a new career in investment banking based out of New York City after his official resignation in June.

“Dave has helped to position us for the future and that’s really what he came in to do and that’s what he has accomplished,” Gaber said. “Now it’s up to Dr. Cooper, Dan Barbee and me to continue to move forward.”